Hip dysplasia is an inherited disease. It causes abnormal movement in the hip joint, leading to excessive wear and painful osteoarthritis as your dog gets older. Large-breed dogs are more likely to develop hip dysplasia, but it can affect any size or breed. 

Hip dysplasia may be associated with instability of the hip joint and hip subluxation (partial dislocation). It is caused by abnormal development of the hip while the dog is growing. A system has been implemented to check for hip dysplasia before breeding dogs - this reduces the number of puppies born with this painful condition.

What is hip dysplasia in dogs?

The hips are “ball and socket” joints, which normally fit together perfectly to allow easy movement. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition where there's a tendency to develop loose, unstable hips (laxity) early in life, resulting in dysfunction and pain.

• Multiple factors contribute to the abnormal development of the hip: 

  • Inherited factors: multiple genes, joint conformation (body shape)

  • Nutrition: growth rate, body mass

  • Hormones 

• As your dog grows, the cartilage and bone of the hip begin to wear down. Over time, this causes arthritis, muscle atrophy (wastage), and limited mobility.

• In the short term, most dogs with hip dysplasia will improve when they're managed properly.

• Longer-term improvements aren't always maintained.

• With exercise restrictions and medication, many dogs with hip dysplasia live to old age.

How to identify the signs of hip dysplasia in dogs

You might notice some or all of the following in your dog:

• Limping on one or both of the hind limbs

• Bunny-hopping: running/walking with both back legs moving together

• A swaying walk

• Difficulty jumping or walking upstairs

• Stiffness or limping after exercise

• Difficulty rising or groaning when getting up after periods of rest

• Loss of enthusiasm for playing or chasing

• Quieter behaviour

Are some dogs more at risk of hip dysplasia than others?

Although any dog may be diagnosed with hip dysplasia, some factors increase the risk. 

Certain breeds: 

• Large and Giant breeds: German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Alaskan Malamute, Newfoundland, Old English Sheepdog, Rottweiler, Saint Bernard, Samoyed.

• Brachycephalic breeds: The conformation of Bulldogs and Pugs puts them at a higher risk of abnormal joint development.

Dietary factors: 

• Large-breed puppies given excessive calcium in their food.

• Puppies that grow too quickly or become obese due to inappropriate feeding.

Hormones:

• Recent studies have shown that neutering puppies while their bones are still growing may increase the risk of hip dysplasia.

Obesity:

• Overweight or obese puppies suffer from abnormal joint strain.

• Obesity is proven to trigger inflammation, worsening the risk of joint problems and pain.

Exercise:

• Exercise doesn’t cause hip dysplasia, but too much high-impact or repetitive exercise while a genetically-prone puppy’s joints are still growing may worsen how hip dysplasia shows up. So activity should be sensible and age-appropriate.

We recommend speaking to a vet for further information or if you have any concerns.

How is hip dysplasia diagnosed in dogs?

Hip dysplasia is usually diagnosed in dogs between 6 and 12 months of age. To help determine whether your dog has hip dysplasia, a vet will first ask you about your dog’s symptoms and examine their joints (an orthopaedic exam).

Your vet might recommend one or more of the following tests to help confirm your dogs diagnosis and rule out other conditions: 

• The Ortolani Test: the vet manipulates the hip joint in a specific manner to assess laxity; this is carried out under sedation or under general anaesthesia to keep your dog relaxed and comfortable.

• Imaging: usually radiographs (x-rays); occasionally CT or MRI.

• Blood Tests: to check general health, kidney and liver function, signs of anaemia or infection.

• Tick-borne disease testing: special blood tests that help to rule out diseases spread by ticks as a possible cause for limping.

How to treat hip dysplasia in dogs

Treatment for hip dysplasia depends on many factors, but the most important is the severity of the condition. Your vet might recommend one or more of the following treatment options.

Non-surgical treatments

1. Weight management

It is important that your dog is kept at an ideal body condition score of 4-5 to prevent excessive weight on their joints. Speak to one of our Joii vets or nurses if you need any help with this.

2. Prescription medication

The choice of medication depends on your dog's individual needs. What suits one dog may not work so well for another. So the vet may trial more than one drug before finding the best one for your dog. The most commonly used are anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs).

Other painkillers may be used alongside or instead of NSAIDs as a stand-alone:

• Gabapentin

• Amantadine

• Paracetamol

3. Joint supplements and Prescription Diets

Studies have demonstrated that veterinary-approved nutritional supplements decrease joint pain and inflammation, enhance mobility and improve quality of life in dogs with osteoarthritis.  They may slow the progression of arthritis and reduce the amount of anti-inflammatory medication required.

• Products based on Omega-3 fatty acids have scientifically-proven benefits

• Extract of the tree gum Boswellia Serrata has shown beneficial results

Glucosamine and Chondroitin have long been included in joint supplements for dogs, but recent studies suggest their benefits are limited at best. 

Prescription diets formulated to help improve joint health include supplements alongside balanced nutrition, such as Hill's Prescription Diet j/d + Metabolic. Speak to our Joii team for professional advice on the best options.

4. Complementary/alternative therapies

Complementary therapies are often used alongside conventional treatment to help control hip dysplasia and arthritis symptoms. Ask your vet for advice on these and check for practitioners who are members of a reputable organisation or governing body.

Hydrotherapy: National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists and the Canine Hydrotherapy Association
Physiotherapy: The Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP), The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT), National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP)
Laser Therapy
Acupuncture: Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists
Homeopathy: British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons

5. Intra articular treatments

Joint injections offer targeted pain relief and/or directly help improve joint health and comfort while reducing whole-body side effects. Current options include steroids, stem cells, hyaluronic acid and hydrogels (an artificial cushioning layer).

Recent evidence also confirms the benefits of platelet-rich plasma: tiny cells called platelets collected from your dog’s own blood that help promote healing and repair inside the joint.

6. Controlled exercise during painful episodes

Maintaining healthy muscle tone is essential, but restrict exercise during flare-ups of lameness:

• Don’t let your dog run, jump, climb stairs or engage in boisterous play

• Rest needs to be thorough: 3-4 weeks before a gradual return to moderate activity 

Surgical management

If your dog has severe hip dysplasia that doesn’t respond to daily management, your vet may suggest specialist surgery. Your orthopaedic vet will advise the most suitable surgery for your dog. Options may include:

• Total hip replacement (THR): artificial replacement of the entire hip joint; the most common operation, usually carried out at specialist hospitals 

• Femoral head and neck excision (FHNE): removing the painful parts of the joint

• Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS): an early procedure to improve the joint ‘fit’

• Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO): pelvic surgery to improve hip joint coverage

• Acetabular rim extension: widening the hip socket with a titanium plate

Surgery aims to eliminate pain in a way that even lifelong medication can’t. It’s expensive. But it may decrease the risk and cost of lifelong medications. Sometimes, in the long run, it can end up being the more affordable option. 

Talk openly to your vet about cost concerns and what is right for your dog. Often, there are multiple treatment options so if one doesn’t work for you and your dog, your vet may be able to offer an alternative.

How to help your dog with hip dysplasia at home

Hip dysplasia is a long-term illness, it is vital to consider the prevention tips to improve and prolong the quality of life of your dog.

1. Keep your dog slim

It is important that your dog maintains an ideal BCS of 4-5 to prevent excessive weight on their joints. You can achieve this by:

• Using a weight control diet. Making sure you are giving the correct amount and frequency of food per day.

• Avoiding extra treats and human food or choosing healthy and low-calorie treats.

• Exercising your dog enough and correctly.

2. Controlled exercise during painful episodes

Exercise should be restricted during any flare-up of lameness. Keep them on the lead and only go on short walks (10 minutes) 3-4 times a day. Your dog should not run, jump, climb stairs, or have any boisterous activity for a period of 3 weeks.

3. Cold therapy during painful episodes

Applying cold packs to the hips after a flare-up of lameness can reduce inflammation and pain in a natural way. For most dogs, applying a cold pack to the hips for 10 minutes, especially after exercise, can be helpful. Contact a vet before applying cold therapy to your dog.

4. Adapting activity levels for long-term management

In the long term, dogs may benefit from short and frequent walks, and you will learn what they can cope with. The following guidelines are encouraged:

• Avoid vigorous off-lead exercise, which will put excessive stress on their hips.

• Short, frequent walks are better than long, infrequent walks.

• Exercise patterns should be regular.

• High-impact activities such as running, jumping, twisting, and turning would be expected to cause lameness, so these activities may need to be avoided or reduced even in the long term.

Can hip dysplasia in dogs be prevented?

Not all cases of hip dysplasia can be prevented. Nevertheless, there are some steps you can take to reduce your dog’s risk of developing this disease.

• Find a responsible breeder who carries out health screening tests on breeding dogs, such as x-rays for joint screening and genetic control tests.

• Puppies at high risk for hip dysplasia need to be closely monitored by your vet in the first 5 months of life.

• Keep your dog at a healthy weight and body condition score.

• Keep your dog fit, but exercise must be age-appropriate for growing puppies: 

  • Never exercise to the point of fatigue. 

  • Avoid high impact, sharp starts or stops, twisting and repetitive movements such as ball-throwing for prolonged periods. 

• If planning to neuter your dog, ask your vet about the most appropriate age for their breed. Early neutering can increase the risk of hip dysplasia.

• Hip dysplasia is hereditary, so affected dogs shouldn't be used for breeding.

Talk to a vet as soon as possible if you have any concerns about your dog’s mobility. Early diagnosis, support and lifestyle changes can make all the difference to long-term outlook.

When to worry if your dog has hip dysplasia

Seek help from a vet if your dog shows any of the following signs, or if you have any concerns about your dog: 

• Not improving or worsening despite treatment 

• Sudden and dramatic worsening of stiffness or limping 

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if taking medications